Action Alert: Why Islam Ads in NY Subways & Siraj Wahhaj

This is a release sent to MuslimMatters. Please cross-post this on your blog or email lists to raise awareness. This is an important project with a lot of publicity, and it is important that we show our support and respond to the unfounded criticisms against it. Scroll down below to see the actual ads at the center of the controversy.

Update 2: Due to reported issues with YouTube and other video sites, the ICNA video advertising the project has been uploaded to the MM Podcast. Please subscribe via iTunes or via your feedreader, if you haven’t already.

There is perhaps no name better known in the American Muslim arena other than that of Imam Siraj. Almost every Muslim in this country is familiar with the fatherly face of the Imam standing before the crowd, captivating it with flowing wisdom. Unfortunately this very figure whose entire life of selfless work for the community has served as a glowing light for the Muslims has been associated with the all too familiar smears of terrorism and violence. What initially began as the inclusion of his name on the 1993 list of un-indicted co-conspirators to the World Trade Center bombing, along with over a hundred others, has only persisted to continuously taint the Imam’s honorable reputation. The fact that there was no evidence whatsoever linking him to the bombing, which is why he remains ‘un-indicted’, is not so innocently overlooked by those that seek to defame him.

In the latest episode of slander and insult, attempts are being made to prevent the most commendable of endeavors – that of informing others of our religion. What would otherwise be seen as a completely harmless effort is now being portrayed in the most negative of lights. Not surprisingly a campaign of its own has grown from the seeds of post-911 hysteria to bring the work to an end.

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As you may have heard, the Islamic Circle of North America through its 877-WHY-ISLAM project has planned to sponsor 1000 ads in NYC subways during Ramadan. These ads serve to clear away common Islamic misconceptions and encourage them to learn about Islam from a direct and more reliable source. Imam Siraj has been of the most enthusiastic supporters of this project with the hope to benefit the larger community. Never would he imagine that his simple involvement in this project would be used to stir up such an uproar. Dramatic headlines such as “Jihad Train” and “Train-ing Day for Jihadists” of the NYPost, as well as others by Fox News have dominated the media limelight. YouTube bloggers such as mosquewatch have posted videos urging listeners to tear down the ads when they see them.

While leaders such as Imam Siraj and those involved with the ICNA continue to put their reputation on the line for projects such as these, it is imperative that we support them in the efforts that they undertake, as that is their greatest wish at the moment – to use this opportunity to gather as much support from the community as possible, not just verbally but also financially. After reading this, please make an extra effort to donate to these causes immediately and ask your friends to do the same. It is the least we can do with hopes that Allah includes us in His own list – the list of those who strive in His cause, and what a just and righteous cause it is!

We all really need to stand up and defend Imam Siraj. He is a true pioneer for all Muslims in America (from the entire spectrum of Muslims in all of their ideologies and denominations [salafi, sufi, etc.] , and I would argue that without Imam Siraj – there would be no Shaykh Yaser Qadhi, or Imam Zaid, or Shaykh Hamza or even Al -Maghrib, or Zaytuna, etc.. Imam Siraj paved the way for all of our American Muslim scholars we love and revere today.

And especially for all American Muslims who dont know much about Imam Siraj, i highly suggest you learn about his history and all the sacrifices and hard work he has put in for our ummah.

Let us all keep Imam Siraj in our duas and work together to clear his name!

ah..where is the video….checked liveleak, youtube, …and nothing..now i am more eager to watch the video..so if anyone got a chance to download please forward or upload it somewhere… and let us know here ..or upload it on liveleak.com

“On July 21st, 2008 When asked about the inclusion of Imam Siraj Wahhaj on the list of 170 unindicted co-conspirators Former US federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy said on CNNs situation room “I think the list is probably an interesting footnote to people. I get asked about it every couple of years when some story or another about Wahhaj comes up. I think the list is a tempest in a teapot.”

Tempest in a teapot means “a situation where people get very angry or worried about something that is not important” (According to idioms.Thefreedictionary.Com”

i saw the outrage before i saw the ads and i was shocked. i thought the ads would be really in your face or may be taken as offensive by other faiths based on people’s reaction. after seeing the ads though, i was shocked that all this fuss is over those! i see christian billboards about God that are far more in your face on a daily basis than these ads. it really looks like just an excuse for a character assassination against imam siraj, may Allah (swt) protect him from their accusations and give him the best of this life and the next.

The “unindicted co-conspirators” is a way to open up fishing expeditions into the workings of pretty much ALL major Islamic organizations. The same sort of witch-hunt was done at the Holy Land Foundation trial, where CAIR and ISNA were also included as unindicted co-conspirators.

Such lists have been opposed by many in the legal community. As feared by those who get tagged with this label, the tag serves as a powerful tool for Islamophobia. Just google “unindicted coconspirators” and the vast majority of pages returned will be Islamophobic right-wing websites or news outlets (lgf, fox, frontpagemag, etc.). The average person who doesn’t know what this tag means will think of this tag as being “proof” for terrorism connections, and that is exactly the connection these islamophobes want common people to make. And as we know, the Bush team was full of those promoting Islamophobia, directly or indirectly. And this co-conspirator tag laid upon Islamic organizations is where they contributed the most:

The practice of publicly naming unindicted co-conspirators is frowned on by some in the legal community, chiefly because there is no trial or other mechanism for those named to challenge their designation. Justice Department guidelines discourage the public identification of unindicted co-conspirators by the government.

“In all public filings and proceedings, federal prosecutors should remain sensitive to the privacy and reputation interests of uncharged third-parties,” the Justice Department’s manual for prosecutors says. When co-conspirator lists have to be filed in court, prosecutors should seek to file them under seal, the guidelines say. [NY SUN]

I pray that Allah rewards Imam Siraj for what he has had to deal with in this life for his faith and prominence among the Muslims.

And I also hope you will all stop to consider the impact of this propaganda. Without Imam Siraj Wahhaj, they wouldn’t have much of a story–but in order to try to smear the whyislam campaign and the imam, they are actually reproducing an advertisement! An ad that the whyislam people are still raising money to spread across the subways has now made it across the country, FREE!

All these ads do are ask people to ask questions about Islam. They don’t preach, just encourage the reader to find out the answers by calling their hotline or visiting their websites. So the media smear campaign? Yeah, it includes the ads, the website, the hotline… so essentially the message is reaching even MORE people, and the website is getting more hits from people all over the place who want to learn about Islam. Already!

Subhanallah! Isn’t it amazing how Allah SWT has increased the efforts of the Whyislam NY team? :-)

Update: Due to reported issues with YouTube and other video sites, the ICNA video advertising the project has been uploaded to the MM Podcast. Please subscribe via iTunes or via your feedreader, if you haven’t already.

I think it might have been a good idea to NOT have told everyone about this…and kept it more of a secret…people would’ve noticed the “signs” (sorry for the pun!) and be taken by surprise…that way they wouldn’t have an opportunity to jump in before this actually happens.

But I guess you need to fundraise so…

But anyways, once this campaign is over, it will make things easier for Muslims in the future to do something of this nature—it’s not too difficult to do, just make a few phone calls, hand over some cash and some posters–khalaas!

Mashallah the NY Chapter of ICNA has done an excellent job by putting their trust in young people and providing them with the basic resources that they needed to put this project into play. This is the transition that is needed in our organizations to help pass the baton.

Allah (S) has helped turn this controversy into something very beneficial for the Muslims. Due to this controversy now the Muslim community will have a chance to be informed and to help participate in this campaign which goes way beyond Subway advertisements. When someone calls the 877-WHY-ISLAM number and asks to visit a mosque, we need volunteers to be there to receive them and meet with them. This Dawah work happens year round where people are needed to get involved. There are so many new media ventures that waiting to be put into play.

We have very big news to share as well about the campaign. But we’ll keep everyone in suspense for a little while. Feel free to guess though.

People should put Imam Siraj’s name, not indicted co-conspirator and prosecutor clarifies
that would flood the web and google out the neo cons lies and distortions

“Everyone who has a blog should find a nice video from imam siraj wahhaj on youtube, embed it and make sure to put his name in the subject so when someone searches his name on blog search engines they are flooded with his awesome lectures.”

Br. Azeem, I love how you gave it to the Congressman, Peter-Islamophobe-King, at the end. How a public official can act to impede the exercise of free speech, based on his own Islamophobic biases and hatred for Muslims, is quite amazing.

His insults against Imam Siraj are insults against the entire Muslim community. This is the opportunity for all Muslims to stand up to people like King, by donating and supporting this project. And if God forbid, the transportation authority denies the ads, then to challenge it in Court until Muslims achieve the rights provided under this country’s constitution.

Sharia law will never happen in the USA. And I will continue within the law too defy any and all attempts too promote it. Muslims have every right too promote sharia law, we as non Muslims have the right to post our own posters against it. The “Kufar” will not sit down. If you desire sharia law, goto a Muslim land, which America will never become. I do not hate you as a person or people, but it will be a very cold day in hell if you believe that sharia law will overtake OUR LAWS. Be well..

Jeff, at first I was simply going to remove your comment because it seemed like a typical troll comment. But then I thought that you did seem to have some sense of reasonableness, so I’ll try to engage with you for a bit. Hear us out then:

(1) These ads are not promoting Shariah. So then, what is your problem with the ads?
(2) Do you even know what Shariah means?
(3) I don’t know of any Muslim group in America that is promoting the active implementation of Shariah in America. Do YOU know of any Muslim group in America that is DIRECTLY and EXPLICITLY making this claim, and is not a fringe, or kooky group?
(4) Do you take issue with Muslims informing non-Muslims about what we stand for, in order to dispel the growing Islamophobia?
(5) Do you know what “kufar” means? It means someone who doesn’t believe in Islam. Many Christians believe Muslims to be “disbelievers” and “infidels”, so why do you take issue with this term and make it appear so caustic?
(6) Thank you for reminding us of our First Amendment rights. And I don’t think any Muslims disagree with the rights of other fellow Americans to express their First Amendment Right to free speech. But you do know that free speech is not totally free, right? You cannot yell “fire” in a packed theater. So, free speech comes with responsibilities, including protections against defamation of others.
(7) If you do not hate us as “persons”, then you should work with us to educate your fellow Americans about what Muslims stand for. Education is the first step towards tolerance. And tolerance breeds mutual trust and understanding. You and your friends will then realize that no one is out to get you or take over this nation.

Iqamat ud-deen is establishing the Islamic way of LIFE… it refers to establishing religion in our personal lives. Establishing religion in our Muslim communities. Do you have a problem with that? What does that have to do with changing government or effecting your rights?

Try again, and please stay away from the typical dime a dozen questions that are so boring that they don’t even deserve a reply. Otherwise, you will be put into the troll-zone.

I am sorry Jeff, but we run the blog on our accord, not on yours. We are free to implement our blog shariah and you can’t stop us!

You proved that the ad had nothing to do with the Islamophobia that you were promoting, similar to Rep King and other right-wing Islamophobic sites. The ads had nothing to do with Shariah, and meant for the sole purpose of educating average Americans of what Muslims believe. As usual, when your ilk can’t talk to the ACTUAL issue at hand, you start throwing tangents and other typical garbage. For once, recognize your blind hatred and the irrationality and intolerance it promotes.

Actually kafir is someone that does not believe in the existence of God…not in Islam ,or else all non Muslims would be labeled as kafirs in the Quran….and of course they are not.

,Jeff, hang in there brother…dont give up so soon. Occasionaly some verbal dancing is what you have to go through before the real debate and dialogue can start…all the best dances require two partners…yes?

Actually kafir is someone that does not believe in the existence of God…not in Islam ,or else all non Muslims would be labeled as kafirs in the Quran….and of course they are not.

Coolred, did you know that the Quraysh were labeled kuffar, even though they did IN FACT believe in the existence of God? Did you know that there are several verses in the Quran where the Quraysh that show this fact. The reason they were kuffar and mushrikeen is because they associated partners with the Creator, by worshiping idols. They did not believe the idols to have any powers, but rather they believed that the idols would be a source of getting close to Allah or that the idols will intercede for them (interestingly, many Muslims think of saints in the same way).

And in fact all non Muslims are kuffar (in that they disbelieve in Islam). Ahl Kitaab and Mushrikeen are just sub-categories of kuffar.

I would suggest that before you delve more into Islamic subjects, please read the book “Fundamentals of Tawheed” by Abu Ameenah Bilal Phillips. You can find some chapters online here:

Just like we are careful about speaking secular subjects, we have to be even more careful when speaking about Islam, because in essence we are representing what Allah and the Prophet Mohammad (S) are saying to us. That is a heavy responsibility.

If ahl Al Kitab were kafirs then Muslims would be forbidden to marry them as we are only allowed “believers in God” as marriage partners…you cannot label them kafirs as God makes a clear distinction between ahl al Kitabis and unbelievers and kafirs in the Quran.

Thank you for the advice on reading material…but God is quite clear about who He considers believers and who arent. Christians were all ready believing in the concept of the Trinity when the Quranic ayats concerning ahl al Kitab came down…and yet they are still labled as believers…who are we to decide they are kafirs merely because they dont believe in Islam…

Plain and simple, kafirs are forbidden in marriage to Muslims…its a clear and precise directive from God…if they are kafirs they would be forbidden to us…they are not…therefor they are not kafirs.

“Say: “Whose is the earth and whosoever is therein? If you know!” They will say: “It is Allah’s!” Say: “Will you not then remember?” Say: “Who is (the) Lord of the seven heavens, and (the) Lord of the Great Throne?” They will say: “Allah.” Say: “Will you not then fear Allah (believe in His Oneness, obey Him, believe in the Resurrection and Recompense for each and every good or bad deed).” Say “In Whose Hand is the sovereignty of everything (i.e. treasures of each and everything)? And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector, (i.e. if Allah saves anyone none can punish or harm him, and if Allah punishes or harms anyone none can save him), if you know.” They will say: “(All that belongs) to Allah.” Say: “How then are you deceived and turn away from the truth?” Nay, but We have brought them the truth (Islâmic Monotheism), and verily, they (disbelievers) are liars.” (Mominoon 23:84-90)

“And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession; except those who bear witness to the truth (i.e. believed in the Oneness of Allah, and obeyed His Orders), and they know (the facts about the Oneness of Allah) . And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: “Allah”. How then are they turned away (from the worship of Allah, Who created them)?” (Zukhruf 43:86-87)

“If you were to ask them: “Who has created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon?” They will surely reply: “Allah.” How then are they deviating (as polytheists and disbelievers)?. Allah enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and straitens it for whom (He wills). Verily, Allah is the All-Knower of everything. If you were to ask them: “Who sends down water (rain) from the sky, and gives life therewith to the earth after its death?” They will surely reply: “Allah.” Say: “All the praises and thanks be to Allah!” Nay! Most of them have no sense.” (Ankaboot 29:61-63)

“And most of them do not believe in Allah without associating others (with Him).” (Yousuf 12: 106)
They believed in Allah but took other means of intercession and were considered mushrikeen:

“And they worship besides Allah things that hurt them not, nor profit them, and they say: “These are our intercessors with Allah.” Say: “Do you inform Allah of that which He knows not in the heavens and on the earth?” Glorified and Exalted be He above all that which they associate as partners with Him!” (10:18)

They believed in Allah, but worshipped others to become closer to Allah, so were considered disbelievers:

“Surely, the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allah only. And those who take Auliyâ’ (protectors and helpers) besides Him (say): “We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah.” Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever.” (39:3)

They knew that their ultimate Helper was Allah:

“And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him only, but when He brings them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others.” (29:65)

Christians were all ready believing in the concept of the Trinity when the Quranic ayats concerning ahl al Kitab came down…and yet they are still labled as believers

Interesting, how did you come to the conclusion that they were labeled believers? What Quranic verses?

In fact, the clear verse of Quran clarifies the whole issue, so why confuse it?

And whoever desires other than Islam as religion never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.” [Quran 3:85]

Let’s step back a bit to your previous claim: “kafir is someone that does not believe in the existence of God”. You have not responded to the clear proofs from the Quran about the kuffar of Quraysh actually quite definitively believing in the Existence of Allah, that clearly contradict your statement.

My point sister is that you are picking lots of tids and bits of information from here and there that are leading to these misunderstandings. So, I would urge you to first take the time to study the books on these subjects first before making conclusions inshallah.

As I recall from Seerah class with Shaykh AbdulBary, the more controversy, the better – because now, people are tuned in more and trying to find out what all the noise is about, and they get around to learning more about Islam.

“72 Surely, they have disbelieved, those who say: “Allah is the Messiah [‘Iesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary).” But the Messiah [‘Iesa (Jesus)] said: “O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong­doers) there are no helpers.
73 Surely, they have disbelieved, those who say: “Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).” But there is no ilah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilah (God -Allah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them.”

Hi Azeem here from ICNA, listen Jeff….. being real with you… Muslims are less than 2% of the entire US population. What are you scared of? Do you think Muslims are stupid enough to think they can replace the current US government with our own system? If it were handed over to us today we wouldn’t be able to handle it, so I don’t know what you are scared of.

We believe in promoting our religion within the full extent of what the legal framework allows us. And that includes reaching out to people and helping them learn more. There is no reason to be afraid (especially of us). Why do you think people are so uptight about the southern border right now? And are trying to take away birthright to citizenship. They cant imagine 30% of the US population being hispanic. Now that’s a sizable group. But I guess you probably hate them too?

If you took time to learn more about Islam and Muslims you would be more at ease.

When I was a kid running around the convention halls of ISNA, I’d hate listening to all the ‘islamic lectures and stuff’. But when I heard Imam Siraj Wahaj was about to speak, my family and I would run to the hall to listen.

I’ve grown up listening to Imam Siraj Wahaj. From the ISNA lectures, to the youtube videos to even seeing him at MSA at Urbana and most recently at Islamic Foundation in Villa park, Illinois.

There is no ‘face’ or ‘name’ I associate more with Muslims in America than Imam Siraj Wahaj.
It speaks volumes that Fox news is trying to character assasinate a legendary Muslim American leader.

May Allah reward him, preserve him and protect him from all the trials and tribulations from giving daw’ah.
Ameen

Interesting tid-bit… Finally another congressman has the courage to stand up to Peter-Islamophobic-King. Pls do follow through the action-alert and thank Rep. Pascrell… we have to show support when people stand up for us!
————–

CAIR-New Jersey today called on American Muslims and other people of conscience to thank Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) for standing up to those who seek to marginalize the American Muslim community.

During a hearing yesterday of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing & Terrorism Risk Assessment, Rep. Pascrell expressed strong disagreement with Rep. Peter King’s (R-NY) remarks that Muslims are not doing enough to help law enforcement fight terrorism. . .

Congressman Pascrell also took the opportunity at the hearing to rebut King’s criticism of a planned advertising campaign in New York subway cars designed to educate the public about Islam. The ads will be placed in the subway cars in September during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Click here for the full Action Alert, including talking points and and contact information. To read Rep. Pascrell’s statement, click here.